Working from home brings its challenges. Pets can be needy, prolonged desk hours can lead to back pain, and it’s easy to forget to move. While there are some apps to remind you to stay active or correct your sitting posture, they’re often ignored.
For nearly a decade, I’ve been refining my home desk setup, incorporating elements like a gaming chair and lumbar support. Yet, none ensure perfect posture.
I then discovered Isa, a desk device from the German startup Deep Care that offers a fresh perspective. It monitors posture, hydration, light, sound, and movement, all without using a camera or internet connection, setting it apart in a world of constant surveillance.
Here’s how Isa operates and what’s included. Featuring a 5.5-inch IPS HD screen, it resembles a table clock. Powered through USB-C, it comes with a power adapter, though any existing charger can be used, consuming about 2.45W.
The device’s primary sensor is the Time-of-Flight (ToF) 3D depth sensor on the front, akin to what’s used in facial recognition and some smartphone cameras, to track posture and movement. It also supports beta features like counting your liquid intake. The sensor covers a range of 0.15 to 1.8 meters, enabling movement tracking even when you stand up. Additionally, it includes several other sensors: ToF 1D, gyroscope, barometer, light sensor, sound level sensor, COâ‚‚/VoC sensor, and temperature and humidity sensor.
Getting started is easy — the device asks for some details about you and your work routine. I noticed, however, that there was no option to set it to India time or other Asian time zones. The company currently supports only EU and US time zones. While acceptable for now, more time zone options or a world clock would be appreciated.
Isa uses a squircle ring on the screen to show your posture, filling or emptying based on your seating, while a water-tank-style widget monitors your hydration. A yellow indicator signals incorrect posture. The Apple Watch-style ring effectively prompts me to correct my posture when it turns yellow or red.
The device vibrates when you slouch for too long, which is a gentle reminder I appreciate. It also notifies you if you’re leaning too far forward or backward, allowing you to adjust your position.
A similar widget tracks your movement, and Isa suggests you take a break with guided exercises if you’ve been inactive for a while. Upon returning, the movement tracker resets.
Deep Care opted not to include cameras, which enhances privacy but has some drawbacks.
Objects like bottles might be mistaken for people by the sensor, logging you as stationary. Pets or housemates can also trigger the sensor. Isa typically detects when you leave and switches to a clock display, but a manual button to pause tracking would be useful.
Due to its sensor-only design, the device sometimes mistakenly indicates inactivity even if you’ve been seated less than 30 minutes. Despite these small issues, Isa encourages me to check my posture more frequently, and the exercise prompts are genuinely helpful.
To manage all these features, Isa utilizes a quad-core 2 GHz processor. It can connect to Wi-Fi for software updates, but this can be disabled at any time.
Founded by three former Bosch employees, Deep Care initially sold Isa to businesses. The company is now entering the consumer market, reflecting confidence in the demand for workplace wellness technology and testing the viability of a subscription model with high-end hardware.
Isa is available for €299 ($354) with two subscription options. The core plan (€4.99 per month) includes posture and healthy sitting habit tracking, drinking habit detection, and an exercise library. The Pro plan (€7.99 per month) additionally monitors light, noise, and CO2 levels for a healthier work environment.
Deep Care plans to expand Isa’s capabilities to include mental health tracking. By analyzing signals like posture, head, and chest movements, Isa could monitor breathing patterns. Combined with environmental data like noise, light, and CO2 levels, the company aims to introduce a stress-related score.
Even without the mental health features, Isa is a worthwhile investment for anyone focused on improving posture and movement. Though it comes with a price tag and subscription cost, it’s a thoughtful solution for those wanting to enhance their home workspace habits.
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